Efficiency of rotary nickel-titanium FlexMaster instruments compared with stainless steel hand K-Flexofile--Part 1. Shaping ability in simulated curved canals

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the shaping ability of FlexMaster rotary nickel-titanium instruments with stainless steel hand K-Flexofiles. This part of the two-part report describes the efficiency of these two instruments in simulated curved root canals. METHODOLOGY: Simulated 28 degree- and 35 degree-curved canals were prepared by the FlexMaster instruments with a rotational speed of 250 rpm using a crown-down preparation technique. and by the K-Flexofiles using a reaming motion (n = 24 canals in each case). All canals were prepared up to size 35. The pre- and post-instrumentation images were recorded and assessment of the canal shape was completed with a computer image analysis program. The material removal was measured at 20 measuring points, beginning 1 mm away from the apex. Incidence of canal aberrations, preparation time,changes of working length and instrument failures were also recorded. RESULTS: In comparison with stainless steel K-Flexofiles, the rotary FlexMaster instruments achieved bet-ter canal geometry, showed less canal transportation and created fewer canal aberrations in both the canal types. Two FlexMaster instruments were separated, and 15 FlexMaster instruments and 11 K-Flexofiles were permanently deformed during preparation. However, these differences were not significant (P > 0.05).Between both the canal types, FlexMaster was significantly faster (P < 0.001) than K-Flexofiles. Both instruments maintained a good working distance. CONCLUSIONS: FlexMaster instruments prepared curved canals rapidly, and with minimal transportation towards the outer aspect of the curve.